With three tiers to choose from, and five different supplementary plans, PRUShield Integrated Shield Plan offers many viable options. But those seeking to unlock the full-flavoured experience should prepare to open their wallets.
As far as Medishield Integrated Plans go, PRUShield dangles some pretty attractive features and benefits. However, you’ll need to sign up for the higher-tier plans in order to enjoy the best the insurer has to offer.
This pay-more-to-get-more approach is quite common, so it’s not surprising. But that’s not to say that lower-spending clients will find themselves neglected.
That’s because the benefits offered at the most basic level are pretty substantial - anyone who signs up for PRUShield will receive up to S$1.2 million in Medisave-approved coverage per year.
Well, understanding how it all works takes a bit of effort, and there is a lot to cover.
So let’s dive right in!
- Pros and cons of PRUShield Integrated Shield Plan
- Key features of PRUShield Integrated Shield Plan
- Important exclusions to note
- For whom is the PRUShield Integrated Shield Plan best suited?
- Plan tiers, premiums and latest promotions
- How to claim
Pros and cons of PRUShield Integrated Shield Plan
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers up to S$1.2 million in medical coverage per annum | Needs PRUExtra Supplementary Plans to unlock true potential |
| Can choose from several private and restructured hospitals | Premiums can get pricey for the highest tier, especially for age 50+ and above |
| Fits a wide range of needs and preferences | |
| Offers claims-based pricing for selected supplementary plans, which helps to reduce premiums |
Key features of PRUShield Integrated Shield Plan
#1: Offers up to S$1.2 million Medisave-approved coverage per year
The primary reason to get an Integrated Shield plan is to boost the amount of medical coverage you can access under your default Medishield Life insurance policy.
In this regard, PRUShield is an attractive contender, offering up to S$1.2 million per year. In addition, it also gives you pre- and post-hospitalisation coverage of up to 180 and 365 days respectively.
While these headlining features sound good, it is important to understand that they may only apply under specific circumstances, or may only be available on higher tier plans that are more costly.
#2: Can cover up to 95% of deductible, 50% of co-insurance, and limit out-of-pocket expenses to S$3,000 per annum
Due to the need to keep national healthcare insurance affordable for everyone, there is a degree of cost-sharing involved when using Medisave.
This takes the form of deductibles and co-insurance, which are sums you need to pay out of your pocket. However, these can add up to quite a hefty amount, especially if you require costly treatment at the hospital.
With PRUShield, you can lower the amount you have to pay for deductibles and co-insurance by up to 95% and 50% respectively (upper limits apply).
Another benefit you can enjoy is a cap of S$3,000 per year on your out-of-pocket expenses - this means you do not have to pay more than that amount for the year.
These features will no doubt come in handy in limiting the financial impact on your bank account. However, to avail yourself of them, you’ll need to sign up for one of the PRUExtra plans - which are only available on the two higher tier PRUShield plans.
Important exclusions to note
The PRUShield Integrated Shield Plan is only available as a bundle with your Medishield Life plan, so it is governed by the same restrictions. This means that you can only make a claim for Medisave-approved procedures, even if you sign up for the highest, most expensive plan.
Another exclusion to be aware of is for pre-existing conditions, which PRUShield may not cover, even if Medishield Life does. In this scenario, you will only be able to claim up to your Medishield Life limit, and not your PRUShield Integrated Plan’s.
For this reason, it is highly recommended to check with a qualified financial adviser whether your preexisting conditions (if any) will be covered by PRUShield before you sign up.
For whom is the PRUShield Integrated Shield Plan best suited?
Different patients likely have different preferences and beliefs about the standards of medical care they will receive.
PRUShield attempts to capture as broad a swathe as possible, and largely succeeds in offering viable options at every level. As such, there is a good chance that you’ll find a suitable plan at an appropriate budget.
Due to the complicated nature of the product - which has three tiers and five different supplementary plans, with some of the best features restricted to the more costly options - it may be wise to seek the advice of a qualified financial advisor to help you make the right choice.
Plan tiers, premiums and latest promotions
| PRUShield Premier | PRUShield Plus | PRUShield Standard | |
| Medisave-approved claims | Up to S$1.2 million per year Pre-hospitalisation coverage: Up to 180 days Post-hospitalisation coverage: Up to 365 days | Up to S$1.2 million per year Pre-hospitalisation coverage: Up to 180 days Post-hospitalisation coverage: Up to 365 days | Up to S$1.2 million per year Pre-hospitalisation coverage: Up to 180 days Post-hospitalisation coverage: Up to 365 days |
| Medical and surgical expenses | All private and restructured hospitals | All restructured hospitals, up to Class A wards | All restructured hospitals, up to Class B1 wards |
| Deductible and co-insurance | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |
| PRUExtra Supplementary Plans available | PRUExtra Primer CoPay - Covers 95% of your deductible and half of your co-insurance, with a S$3,000 annual limit on out-of-pocket expenses - Claims-based pricing for renewal premiums PRUExtra Preferred CoPay - Covers 95% of your deductible and half of your co-insurance, with a S$3,000 annual limit on out-of-pocket expenses - Has lower premiums than PRUExtra Primer CoPay - Claims-based pricing for renewal premiums PRUExtra Primer Lite CoPay - Covers 50% of your deductible (up to S$1,750 per policy year) and half of your co-insurance, with a S$3,000 annual limit on out-of-pocket expenses. - Claims-based pricing for renewal premiums | PRUExtra Plus - Covers 95% of your deductible and half of your co-insurance, with a S$3,000 annual limit on out-of-pocket expenses PRUExtra Plus Lite - Covers 50% of your deductible (up to S$1,750 per policy year) and half of your co-insurance, with a S$3,000 annual limit on out-of-pocket expenses. | N/A |
At first glance, PRUShield Integrated Shield Plan can appear to be a little confusing. The key to understanding it is to break it down, as follows.
Basic coverage of all three tiers
PRUShield Premier, Plus and Standard all offer the same basic coverage of up to S$1.2 million per year for Medisave-approved claims.
They also offer up to 180 days of pre-hospitalisation coverage, and up to 365 days post-hospitalisation.
However, there are differences in which hospitals you can go to, as well as the wards you can stay in.
PRUShield Primer, the highest tier, has no restrictions on hospital type - private or restructured - or class of ward, making it the least restrictive option.
PRUShield Plus limits you to only restructured hospitals, but you are free to stay in wards up to Class A.
PRUShield Standard is the most economical of the three tiers. It limits you only to restructured hospitals, and you may stay in wards up to Class B1.
All three tiers do not cover your co-insurance and deductibles, which means you could still end up with quite a large sum to cover out-of-pocket.
PRUExtra Supplementary Plans
If you want to reduce the amount of co-insurance and deductibles, you can do so by subscribing to one of the five PRUExtra Supplementary Plans.
Depending on the plan you choose, you can get up to 95% coverage for co-insurance and deductibles. Additionally, your out-of-pocket expenses will be capped at S$3,000 per year.
Some PRUExtra plans also come with claims-based pricing, which can reduce or increase your premiums according to your claims history. Do have a look at the PRUShield product brochure for more details and an illustration on how it works.
Finally, you should be aware that PRUExtra plans are only available if you sign up for PRUShield Premier or PRUShield Plus.
How much does PRUShield Integrated Shield Plan cost?
| Age band (selected) | PRUShield Premier (per annum) | PRUShield Plus (per annum) | PRUShield Standard (per annum) |
| 31 - 35 | S$327 | S$82 | S$63 |
| 41 - 45 | S$654 | S$140 | S$108 |
| 51 - 53 | S$1,052 - S$1,116 | S$215 | S$141 |
- Premiums displayed are for Singapoeans and PRs. Foreigners may be subject to different premiums.
- Premiums shown are for PRUShield base plan only, and does not include PRUExtra Supplementary Plans
In the table above, we have extracted the annual premiums for PRUShield using three sample age bands as a quick illustration.
Do note that these are for PRUShield alone, and does not include the PRUExtra Supplementary Plans. You’ll need to pay additional premiums should you wish to subscribe to PRUExtra.
Of course, PRUShield covers you for your entire lifespan, and the premiums change according to your age. Hence, be sure to check the official premiums tables for a more accurate gauge of your potential budget.
What promotions are there for PRUShield Integrated Shield Plan?
There aren’t any promotions for PRUShield Integrated Shield Plan at the moment.
If we find any, we’ll update this space, so be sure to check back soon!
How to claim?
As PRUShield is bundled with your Medishield Life plan, you can make a claim via the hospital at which you are receiving inpatient, day surgery or outpatient treatment.
When settling your bill, do inform the hospital of your intention to make a claim, and request for assistance in doing so.
You can only make a claim at participating medical institutions. Since virtually every hospital in Singapore belongs to this category, this shouldn’t be a problem.
However, to be sure, please check the official list of medical institutions participating in the MediShield Life Scheme.
Protected up to specified limits by SDIC.
Note: This is only product information provided. You may wish to seek advice from a qualified adviser before buying the product. If you choose not to seek advice from a qualified adviser, you should consider whether the product is suitable for you. Buying an insurance product that is not suitable for you may impact your ability to finance your future healthcare needs.
If you decide that the policy is not suitable after purchasing the policy, you may terminate the policy in accordance with the free-look provision, if any, and the insurer may recover from you any expense incurred by the insurer in underwriting the policy.
As buying a life insurance policy is a long-term commitment, an early termination of the policy usually involves high costs and the surrender value, if any, that is payable to you may be zero or less than the total premiums paid. You should seek advice from a financial adviser before deciding to purchase the policy. If you choose not to seek advice, you should consider if the policy is suitable for you.
This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
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